Rare-earth earth elements, a gathering of 17 metallic elements, are basic to the development of many technologically progressed tools and devices.
The average person would be passed up the amount we communicate with rare-earth earth components consistently, without acknowledging it by any means, said Ryan Castilloux, a geologist and master on uncommon earth components.
The elements will be instrumental in the U.S. transitioning to renewable energy and electric vehicles, but approximately 80% of the market is dominated by China, Castilloux said.
Outside of China, rare-earth elements are mined at a huge scope in just two spots.
Luckily, one of those two spots is close to Mountain Pass in San Bernardino County, the home of the biggest uncommon earth mine in the Western Hemisphere.
“The world is rapidly decarbonizing and electrifying, and it’s imperative that we have resilient, adequate supplies of these materials to enable industry and government to move in that direction,” said Matt Sloustcher, senior vice president of communications for MP Materials.